Molding-flask.



PATENTED MAY 30, 1905.

J. W. MYERS.

MOLDING FLAS-K.

A'PPLIOA'EION rum) MAR. 27, 1906.

i- Mm es: 2 s.

NiTEn STATES Patented May 30, 1905.

JOHN W. MYERS, OF ASHLAND, OHIO.

MOLDING- FLASK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 791,041, dated May 30, 1905.

Application filed March 27, 1905. Serial No. 252,154.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN W. MYERS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Ashland, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, haveiuvented certain new and useful Improvements in Molding-Flasks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in molding-flasks for the manufacture of fenceposts and the like from cement, and has for its object the provision of alight and readilyremovable flask wherein fence-posts or other similar structures of cement may be very' readily and rapidly molded.

An objection inherent in the types of structure now commonly used is that the flask must be left in position until the post has practically set and dried, thereby necessitating the use of a large number of such flasks. Moreover, it has been suggested that wires or other means for staying the molded structure be employed; but their use ordinarily seriously delays the rapid molding of the posts unless no care be taken to retain the wires or rods in their proper positions within the flask and molded post. Accordingly I have provided means for overcoming the undesirable features mentioned, together with others which will appear from a consideration of the advantages present in my improved structure, which I may briefly describe as consisting of a set of sheet-steel side pieces, coacting end pieces, and clamping means for uniting the structure and for placing tension upon theinserted wires. All of this will be more fully and clearly explained by making reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention,

-wherein Figure 1 is atransverse sectionalview, partially broken away midway of the structure, showing one-half of the casting-flask, the clamp, inserted wires, and retaining-pins united and in position for molding the fencepost. Fig. 2 isa view, upon an enlarged scale, showing a transverse section through the structure. Fig. 3 is a View of the traveling bottom plate or tension member, which is also shown as viewed from above in Fig. 4. Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views of the upper end plate. Figs. 7 and 8 likewise show the bottom end plate. Fig. 9 is a small detail showing the means for retaining the wires in position, and Fig. 10 indicates a key or wedgepin for holding the longitudinal wires temporarily in the end plates.

Throughout each of the several figures l have sought to avoid any confusion in reading the drawings by employing the same character of reference to indicate similar parts.

The casting-flask of my invention is seen to comprise two steel side plates a d, suitably stayed longitudinally by angle-irons a 7/ to prevent the bulging or warping thereof during the process of molding and tamping down the material of the post. These side plates are embraced at either end by the malleable end plates 0 (Z, which are respectively formed with receiving slots or grooves 0 d, wherein the ends of the side plates are retained or held in position. A traveling bottom plate or tension member 0, having a loop 0, adapted to be engaged by the clamp f, together serve to complete the structure of my improved removable molding-flask. Slots or openings 0 e are provided in the upper end plate and traveling bottom plate to accommodate the longitudinal wires g, which are cut to the proper length and individually twisted to form loops adapted to be forced through the end slots and held in place by an inserted wedge-pin 71/. Four of such wires preferably are employed for staying the completed post, which are then bound in place by encircling loops of wire 1', as indicated in Figs. 1 and 9, the same serving to hold said wires in their relative positions against their tendency to kink after the flask has been removed. All of these parts are assembled, upon any suitable base, as the plank 7c, and when the clamp is-tightened, as indicated in Fig. 1, the parts are rigidly and firmly held together in position to have the post molded therein. Pins or spikes Z may either be driven initially into the plank or, better, through the body of the molded post just prior to removing the flask, which pins will provide openings for the purpose of receiving holding-wires, plugs, or other means for mounting the fence structure. Having thus assembled the parts upon the plank or board, cement mixture is thrown into the flask and thoroughly tamped down until practically even with the top thereof. This material, it may be observed, should. be no more moist than is requisite to pack and set readily and quickly. The wires of course being placed under tension remain in their proper relative positions, and no especial care is required to secure a well-molded post when the described apparatus is employed. Within a few minutes the clamp may be loosened and removed, the wedge-pins driven out of the wire loops, the end plates Withdrawn, and the side plates of the flask are then readily removed from the molded post, which is left upon the plank to dry. The encircling or Wrapping wires j serve to retain the longitudinal wires in position when tension is removed therefrom, and the pins Z may be left in place, if desired, or withdrawn when the molded post has set sufliciently to preserve the resulting openings or holes extending through the body of the post. Thus it will be seen that my improved structure may be used again and again during the day for forming cement posts, since the only part cooperating with the removable parts to form the completed flask, which it is necessary to leave with the post after molding it, is the plank or base Whereon the parts of the removable flask are assembled.

By altering the longitudinal position of the tension member with respect to the flask, as by lengthening the loop a, effected by inserting a length of wire between the same and the clamp, the length of the molded fence-post may be readily altered to meet the particular requirements of the user.

It will be appreciated, too, that the structure is light, simple, and efficient and may be used by any one without previous instruction, thus particularly adapting it to the requirements of farmers and others desiring to make their own fence-posts as they may be required for use.

Having now described the preferred embodiment of my invention and the mode of using the same, I.c].aim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following:

1. In a molding-flask of the class described, the combination with the sheet-metal side pieces, of longitudinal stays or supports thereon, end plates adapted to receive said side pieces, a traveling bottom plate and clamping means associated therewith; the said bottom plate and one of the end plates being formed to receive and support wires or rods within the flask, whereby they are held in position therein during the period of molding and tamping down the material therein, substantially as set forth.

2. In a molding-flask of the class described, the combination with the rigid or stayed side plates, of grooved or recessed end plates for receiving the same, a tension member or bottom plate, meansfor supporting wires within the flask associated with said tension member, and clamping means acting upon the tension member, whereby the wires are held in place, and the parts of the flask are secured in position during casting, substantially as set forth.

3. In aflask for molding fence-posts and the like, the combination with sheet-metal side pieces suitably stayed or reinforced longitudinally, of slotted or recessed endplates for receiving the same, a traveling bottom piece or tension member, the same, and one of the end plates, being formed removably to receive wires or rods, and a clamping device acting upon the tension member for drawing taut the said wires and securely holding the parts of the flask together during the molding of the post, substantially as set forth.

4. In a molding-flask for fence-posts and the like, the combination with sheet-metal side pieces, of reinforcing parts longitudinally secured thereon, grooved end plates for receiving and holding the said side plates, a movable or traveling, bottom plate or tension member, the same being slotted to receive the staywires, means for securing the latter to the opposing end plate, and a clamp associated with the other end plate and the tension member adapted to secure the parts rigidly together and place the wires under tension, substantially as set forth.

5. In a removable molding-flask of the character described, the combination with sheetmetal side pieces, of strips or angle-irons secured longitudinally thereto, grooved end plates-formed to receive the said side plates, a traveling tension member or bottom plate, longitudinal wires extending from an end plate to the tension member, and securely stayed within the flask, removable fastening members for the said wires and clamping mechanism associatedwith the tension member and an opposing part of the flask, adapted to place the wires under tension and secure the flask parts removably but rigidly together upon a suitable base, substantially as set forth.

Signed at Akron, Ohio, this 21st day of March, 1905, in the presence of two subscril ing witnesses.

JOHN W. MYERS. Witnesses:

CHARLES A. ENGLISH, C. MULCAHY 

